Professor

{15}

{15~Just a Bit of Heroism}

Severus looked on at Hermione with wide, black eyes.

"What is the matter?" Concern flooded his voice, and momentarily, Hermione was reminded of his off-on love for his career.

"His parents... th-they--" she couldn't truly say something so volatile like what had occurred to the poor wizard. He was just a boy... truly.

"Give me the letter, sweet."

It was the first endearment she had ever heard from him, but the smile on his face was urgent and pleaful. There was no time to enjoy such an amenity when a boy's life was on the line.

"Bruises; most likely unable to be covered by a glamour charm..." Snape muttered, all pretenses faded, "A bloody nose, and I reckon the slap his mother delivered to his cheek is swelling. They sure know how to beat a bloody wizard," he muttered and ran out of the room with a fervent pace, but he came right back with some herb from his store across the hall. After that, he opened the so-called closet and Hermione looked at his billowing self as he plucked a few bottles and flasks from the shelves.

"Not the closet I expected, honestly."

"That's what the armoire is for, now let's go, Hermione. Pip!" He called, willing the house-elf to him with a loud yell.

"Yes sir?" She asked him, eyes wide at his fury.

"Hermione and I will be going..." he trailed off and leaned towards the creature, not wanting a busy Hermione to hear, "Prepare the guest bedroom."

"Yes sir!" She assured him, snapping and slipping from his view into the closed room on the lower floor.

Taking the envelope and closing the window, Hermione bothered not for a cloak as she lifted her wand and apparated with her now unoccupied suitor.

When they landed ungracefully in a surprisingly un-snowy area, Hermione spotted a small house much like that of Hagrid's, but more made for humans... not half-giants.

"What do you have?" She asked the dark-haired wizard as he pushed forward.

"I want you to tend to the boy with these, and I will take care of the parents. They won't remember him." He was careful with the statement although he had no time to be. Of course, Hermione had returned her parents' memories, but that didn't mean she did not regret such an awful occasion. From what she'd told him, they weren't on speaking terms just yet.

"How are we--"

"We knock," he whispered in that mysterious tone of his, one that had confused her more than ever her entire educational career.

So they did. It seemed simple enough, but when Hermione heard a harsh yell and an older, pale woman opened the door, she was confused by the gentle smile. Were they at the right place?

"What can I do you for?" She chirped.

"Mrs. Haar?"

The lady looked flustered, and her eyes were frantically searching her surroundings.

"You're not looking for my son, are you? We know he goes to your school, but term is off session as of now?" Her sweet voice nauseated Hermione.

"Who's at the door, Matilda?" A manly voice came from another room of the small abode.

"Take these, go in," Severus muttered to Hermione as he pushed vials into her hand, his lips to the shell of her ear, "they are lying."

"Excuse me?" The lady requested tightly as Hermione pushed past her, "What business do you have here!?"